• South Africa’s very own Zozibini Tunzi has just been crowned Miss Universe for 2019. Her beauty, strength and intellect have inspired us all to be a little bit like her. Take some style tips from our reigning queen this upcoming wedding season by taking a page from her fashion diaries.

    Wedding dress:

    Zozibini strutted down the Miss Universe stage wearing a stunning white caped gown representing her Xhosa heritage, designed by Biji – La Maison de Couture. Modern and structured, this dress makes a powerful statement.

    Bridal capes are a great option for brides that are looking for a little something extra and for those that are looking to break away from the norm. If you’re not into the super modern look, you can soften the cape by going for lighter fabrics to give an airy finish.

    Credit: Instagram / vera_kayy
    Credit: Instagram / lovestoryfilms
    Credit: Instagram / oksana_mukha_official

    If you’re daring, why not go for an illusion gown wedding dress? Zozibini wore this Biji – La Maison de Couture to the Fairlady Santam Woman of the Future Awards earlier this year and gave us major #outfitgoals.

    This lace applique gown is delicate yet sexy, perfect for the bride wanting to strike a balance. If you’re scared of the full illusion look you can always line certain parts.

    Credit: Instagram / Pnina Tornai
    Credit: Instagram / Berta Bridal
    Credit: Instagram / Miss Hailey Paige

    Crowns:

    Zozibini’s ornate crown, named ‘The Power of Unity’, celebrates the complexity, diversity, unapologetic ambition and strength of women. With more than 1,770 diamonds set in 18-karat gold, the crown features interconnected leaves and flowers. A 62.83 carat golden canary diamond is the stunning centrepiece.

    While you might not have the budget to replicate this specific crown, there are so many ways to get the look. Give off regal romance with these stunning crowns.

    Credit: Instagram / Minas Florals
    Credit: Instagram / Elizabeths Events
    Credit: Instagram / Mark Jay Photography

     

    Feature image: Instagram / Zozibini Tunzi

    A ring is a symbol of your love and eternal commitment, so why not have a special one? Men’s wedding bands have a tendency to lean towards bland. However, there are so many small touches that can elevate a ring while still being understated. If you’re on the market for a wedding band, check out these unique offerings.

    American Swiss

    This 9ct yellow gold and sterling silver ring, coined the Johnny ring, features a bold design of heat-treated black diamonds. Perfect for the man not afraid of a little shine.

    Price: R3 299

    Shimansky

    This 5mm half-round band features a hammered finish crafted in Palladium, creating a subtle design for understated uniqueness.

    Price: upon request

    Wolf Bros

    This ring is made in white gold with a combination of rope and polished edges. They can be made up in 9ct or 18ct yellow gold or white gold, as well as in platinum.

    Price: material dependant

    Sterns

    This 9ct yellow gold men’s ring, named the Midnight Magic ring, reveals a bold design of heat-treated black diamonds in a rectangular shape.

    Price: R 4 289

    NWJ

    This ring features Silver, Gold Diamond and White Sapphire in a unique design reminiscent of ocean waves. A true statement ring for the bold groom.

    Price: R5 230

    Arthur Kaplan

    If you’re not one for gold, this Titanium d-shape wedding band with wild olive wood inlay is the perfect blend of rugged design and modernity.

    Price: R3,199.00

    Image: Unsplash

    Who said romance at cricket matches is dead? Mzansi Super League (MSL) 2.0 is not just about bats and balls, but about love in action too.
    SuperSport Park came to a standstill last Friday when one lucky couple’s dreams became a reality. They got engaged out on the field in front of thousands of spectators at their favourite venue during the Tshwane Spartans and Paarl Rocks clash last Friday evening.
    There was probably no better backdrop than one of the most picturesque venues in the world when Jacques Storm (32) decided that it was time to “do the right thing” and ask his girlfriend of three years, Lizelle Smit (24), for her hand in marriage. What he might not have known was that his cameo inning would eclipse all cheers that might have been reserved for AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis and Tabraiz Shamsi on the night.
    Storm, having given his idea to the tournament organisers, hoodwinked his soon-to-be fiancée into believing that they were lucky ticket winners and that they had to claim their ultimate prize out on the field during the interval break. Then as the live SABC cameras were rolling, he got on one knee to ask Smit for her hand in marriage.
    “Let me tell you this – my mouth was so dry. I was so nervous that I battled to get the words out, but I think I she understood what I was trying to say!” said Storm as he recalls the most important day of his life. “Lizelle was also so nervous she almost started crying. I think it was seeing so many people sitting and cheering behind us.”
    “I am a sporting person, having played SA Schools cricket when I was 19, so there was no other place for me to do what I considered the right thing to do, and to be with a person that has contributed immensely to me over the last two years. I didn’t want to do the obvious and go to a restaurant. I wanted to make it unique – so I am glad that I could get to do it in an MSL game.”
    Smit also added: “I am not going to lie, I was definitely not expecting it, but it turned out to be a fantastic night. It turned out to be a really good shock.”
    “I knew she was going to say yes…but my colleagues at work kept asking me, saying ‘what if she says no?’ in the days leading up to the event. I must confess, it did create some doubt. I was mostly convinced that she would say yes, because we had just moved in together the week before,” he said.
    “The fans kept coming to congratulate us for the rest of the game. Even when we went out for drinks after the match, people recognised us. Let me put it this way: we have received plenty of venue suggestions for our marriage.”
    “We have not thought of a venue, but even if it is behind the sightscreen at a cricket field, I am just glad that Lizelle said yes when I proposed to her.”

     Image: Instagram / Mzansi Super League 

    Celebrities have been feeling the love this year, and we can’t get enough. From a romantic star-studded event in the South of France to a three-day extravaganza in Marrakesh, these famous couples went big for their 2019 nuptials.

    Justin and Hailey Bieber

    The most exciting, star studded wedding of the year goes to the Biebers, who wed in Montage Palmetto Bluff, Bluffton, South Carolina on September 30. With a stunning off-white gown designed by Virgil Abloh and a statement veil with the words ’till death do us part” stitched onto it in white block lettering, Hailey’s look was absolutely iconic. But she didn’t stop there. She had two reception looks: a Ralph & Russo halterneck and a Vera Wang slip dress that she paired with sneakers.

    Their second nuptials (they had a small courthouse wedding in 2018) were attended by their many famous friends, including Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Justine Sky, Jaden Smith, Joan Smalls, and Justin’s manager Scooter Braun.

    Joe Jonas & Sophie Turner

    Following a host of pre-wedding activities, this loved up-couple said ‘I do’  at the Château de Tourreau in the South of France with their closest family and friends around them. Of course, Kevin and Nick Jonas were there, as well as sister-in-law Priyanka Chopra, Maisie Williams and Ashley Graham.  Turner wore a stunning long-sleeve gown designed by Louis Vuitton’s creative director Nicolas Ghesquière.

    This is their second wedding. The couple famously wed at a Las Vegas chapel after the Billboard Music Awards, and their nuptials were broadcast to the world via Diplo’s Instagram Live.

    Zoe Kravitz & Karl Glusman

    The last weekend in June was a pretty eventful week in France. Joining Joe and Sophie, Big Little Lies star Zoe Kravitz also said ‘I do’ to actor Karl Glusman in the city of love. The location was particularly special to them as it is where they met back in 2016.

    The couple is very private, and haven’t shared any official images from their nuptials. However, we do know it was a fun-filled affair. According to W Magazine, dad Lenny Kravitz’s 18th-century mansion acted as wedding venue. In an interesting fashion statement, the bride-to-be wore bridal biker shorts and an embellished fishnet cover for their rehearsal dinner.

    Their wedding had an A-list attendance, including Zoe’s parents Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet, step-father Jason Mamoa, Cara Delevigne and the cast of Big Little Lies.

    Idris Elba and Sabrina Dhowre had a stunning three-day extravaganza in Marrakesh back in April. The location was chosen as Sabrina’s family is originally from East Africa and Idris’s is from West Africa, so they wanted to meet somewhere in between.  In a tribute to their cultures, they wove Ghanaian and Somalian traditions into their big day.

    Sabrina wore an A-line crêpe dress with delicate Chantilly lace train for the ceremony, and a figure-hugging shimmery number for the reception. Both were designed by Vera Wang.

    Ellie Goulding and Caspar Jopling

    The ‘Lights’ musician said ‘I do’ to her art-dealer boyfriend, Caspar Jopling, at the York Minster Cathedral in England back in August. Goulding stunned with five beautiful bridal looks for their festivities. For the ceremony, she donned a bespoke Chloé gown and a delicate silk tulle veil with an organza collar featuring her and Caspar’s initials. Her other gowns include a sleek off-the-shoulder silk Stella McCartney creation, a beaded Ralph & Russo number, a short Balmain number featuring semi-sheer puffed sleeves and she ended the evening in a simple strapless black gown with a full skirt.

    The wedding was a royal affair, with Sarah, Duchess of York and her daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie in attendance. Other notable guests include Katy Perry, Orlando Bloom and Ed Sheeran.

    Heidi Klum and Tom Kaulitz

    The German model and her Tokio Hotel singer beau had a romantic ceremony off the coast of Capri in August. They tied the knot onboard the famous Christina O,  following in the footsteps of Princess Grace Kelly and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis who also chose this yacht for their respective receptions.

    The pair legally married back in February, using this extravagant affair as an opportunity to celebrate with family and friends.

    Image: Instagram / Hailey Bieber